Three Merseyside men jailed for over 40 years for Encrochat drug crimes

Three men from Merseyside have been jailed for over 40 years in connection with an international operation which targets criminals who used a mobile encryption service to organise serious crime.

Jordan Alvis, 35, of Trent Close, West Derby, (below) was sentenced to nine years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply ketamine and heroin and conspiracy to conceal criminal property.

Alvis used the encrochat handle 'Laughingstorm' and supplied Class A drugs using recognised criminal terminology over the encrypted messaging platform.

Christopher Dentith, 29, of College View, Huyton, (below) was sentenced to 17 years and three months years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, and possession of criminal property. He used the encrochat handle 'Kindtailor'. 

Jordan Quinn, 31, of Valiant Close, West Derby, (below) was sentenced to 14 years and three months  in prison after pleading  guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin and ketamine and possession of criminal property. Quinn used the encrochat handle 'Wiredfork' and was also attributed after revealing personal details about himself on encrochat.

Around 60,000 users of encrochat have now been identified worldwide, with about 10,000 of them in the UK – all involved in coordinating and planning the supply and distribution of drugs and weapons, money laundering and other criminal activity. Arrests are continuing across Merseyside as part of the operation.

Detective Sergeant Daniel Pilling said: “We have seen three more drugs criminals put behind bars as part of national Operation Venetic, which came about after law enforcement officials in Europe managed to crack the ‘encrochat’ service being used by criminals involved in serious and organised crime to carry out their business.

"They have now been jailed for a number of years and thankfully unable to bring drugs and misery to families across the north west and beyond. 

“As part of Operation Venetic, Merseyside Police has so far arrested more than 120 people, many of whom have been charged with serious drug trafficking or firearms offences. This year will see a number of these people continuing to appear before the courts, and we welcome each and every one. 

"Our message to other people who are involved in this type of criminality is clear: expect that knock at the door sooner rather than later.

“Merseyside Police, along with law enforcement agencies across the world, will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of those people who think they are above the law, and we will continue to target anyone involved in serious organised crime to keep this positive momentum going.”